Fr. Michael K. Higgins
From Ireland. Ordained for the Diocese of San Diego. Removed from active ministry in 1982 after he was accused of soliciting sex from a boy in a confessional. Higgins denied the allegation. Appealed his case to the Vatican. In 1987 Higgins sued Bishop Maher and others alleging that he was falsely accused of sexual misconduct. Higgins has said that Vatican reversed Bishop’s decision and he is a ‘retired priest.’ Diocese denied this, and said that the Pope affirmed the decision to remove his privileges. He was laicized in 1999.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.